The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-10-29
A Shrewd American GlrI.
Exchange


 From Paris comes the story of an- other fair American who succeeded, in somewhat similar way, in ridding herself of petty persecutor. She is a daily attendant at one of the ateliers off the grand boulevards. Her lodg- ings are some distance up the Champs Elysees; but being abundantly able to protect herself, she calls upon no one to escort her to and from her work, and often prefers to do the journey on foot rather than to take one of the omnibuses going in her direction. After while, however, she became con- scious that a certain young man, al4 ways at the same spot, overlook her and dogged her footsteps until she reached the door of her apartments. She knew enough of Paris customs not to blame the young man individ- ually very much, as she is aware that somehow the whole race is imbued with the idea that one of its chief du- ties, as the superior half of humanity, is to be polite and gallant to every unprotected female; and even her small experience has convinced her of the truly grand way in which every Frenchman tries to do his duty. But in this particular case she decided that the young mans good intentions must be discouraged. Especially when after few days of silent follow ing he attempted to address her, she made up her mind that stringent measures must be used. Her aunt, a big -boned ducnna of the strong New England type, was informed of the condition of affairs, and was made &C., quainted with her neice's proposed tactics.
 The day after their council of war the young woman was overtaken as usual by her admirer. He again whis- pered soft words in her ear, and, as she seemed to smile somewhat favora- bly on him, he kindly and hospitably invited her to breakfast. She ex- pressed diffidence at accepting hospi- tality from an utter stranger, and ob- jected that break kfast was awaiting her at her own apartment. She, however, presumed that enough would be served for two, and if Monsieur would excuse what defects there might be she would be very glad of his con- pany to her solitary meal. The young man jumped with eagerness at her proposal, and walked gayly by her side. Whatever apprehension the young girl may have had as to the risk of failure was not apparent in her manner, and she succeeded in con- lining the talk to pleasant generalities until her apartment was reached. There the young man received his first check when the door was thrown open and disclosed the sizable propor- tions of the stern duenna. He had, however. gone too far to turn back, and he allowed himself to be ushered inside, and the door to be closed on him.
 The aunt and the niece were too well schooled in the rules of politeness to carry on their conversation before the Frenchman in anything but every word they said. "My aunt" explained the young woman to her duenna, this poor fellow is hungry and l told him l thought we could find him something to eat"
 "Oh, certainly" answered the kind hearted aunt, "I hope we need never refuse the demands of the needy. Ma rie," she called out to the trim maid, who immediately appeared, "take this man to the kitchen and tell the cook to give him some bread and neat"
 "The unhappy Frenchman, in spite of his protests and approximations, was shown through the door into the kitchen, whence he was able to escape by the servants stairway. The young American girl has since seen or heard nothing from her harmless but annoy ing persecutor.